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Predicted aircraft effects on stratospheric ozoneThe possibility that the current fleet of subsonic aircraft may already have caused detectable changes in both the troposphere and stratosphere has raised concerns about the impact of such operations on stratospheric ozone and climate. Recent interest in the operation of supersonic aircraft in the lower stratosphere has heightened such concerns. Previous assessments of impacts from proposed supersonic aircraft were based mostly on one-dimensional model results although a limited number of multidimensional models were used. In the past 15 years, our understanding of the processes that control the atmospheric concentrations of trace gases has changed dramatically. This better understanding was achieved through accumulation of kinetic data and field observations as well as development of new models. It would be beneficial to start examining the impact of subsonic aircraft to identify opportunities to study and validate the mechanisms that were proposed to explain the ozone responses. The two major concerns are the potential for a decrease in the column abundance of ozone leading to an increase in ultraviolet radiation at the ground, and redistribution of ozone in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere leading to changes in the Earth's climate. Two-dimensional models were used extensively for ozone assessment studies, with a focus on responses to chlorine perturbations. There are problems specific to the aircraft issues that are not adequately addressed by the current models. This chapter reviews the current status of the research on aircraft impact on ozone with emphasis on immediate model improvements necessary for extending our understanding. The discussion will be limited to current and projected commercial aircraft that are equipped with air-breathing engines using conventional jet fuel. The impacts are discussed in terms of the anticipated fuel use at cruise altitude.
Document ID
19930001908
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Ko, Malcolm K. W.
(Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA., United States)
Wofsy, Steve
(Harvard Univ. Cambridge, MA., United States)
Kley, Dieter
(Kernforschungsanlage Juelich, Germany)
Zhadin, Evgeny A.
(Central Aerological Observatory Dolgoprudnyi, Ussr)
Johnson, Colin
(United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Harwell, United Kingdom)
Weisenstein, Debra
(Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA., United States)
Prather, Michael J.
(NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies New York, NY., United States)
Wuebbles, Donald J.
(Lawrence Livermore National Lab. CA., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1991
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
93N11096
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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